Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against tumor-associated antigens, the preparation and use thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), A, B, C and D, which are directed against tumor-associated antigens. The nearly complete nucleotide sequences of the V genes of these MAbs are described, so that the relevant variable domains can be put together to give chimeric MAbs, or “humanized” MAbs are obtained by inserting the hypervariable regions (complementarity determining regions ═CDR) into a human MAb framework. Antibody constructs of this type can be employed in human therapy and in vivo diagnosis without the disadvantages observed with murine MAbs.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/356,791, filed Dec. 13, 1994; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/118,788, filed Sep. 9, 1993, abandoned; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/949,359, filed Sep. 23, 1992, abandoned; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/497,201, filed Mar. 22, 1990, abandoned; which claims priority to German application P 3909799.4, filed Mar. 24, 1989, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The invention relates to murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), A, B, C and D, which are directed against tumor-associated antigens. The nearly complete nucleotide sequences of the V genes of these MAbs are described, so that the relevant variable domains can be put together to give chimeric MAbs, or “humanized” MAbs are obtained by inserting the hypervariable regions (complementarity determining regions ═CDR) into a human MAb framework. Antibody constructs of this type can be employed in human therapy and in vivo diagnosis without the disadvantages observed with murine MAbs.

MAb A reacts with antigen 2, MAb B reacts with antigen 11 and MAb C reacts with antigen 7, all of which are described in EP-A2 0,141,079 and are membrane-associated antigens on permanent human tumor cells lines such as the CaLu-1, Chago, Oat 75, PaTu II and Bewo cell line. MAb D is directed against a Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase (VCN)-sensitive epitope on the ganglioside GD₂ which is exposed on human melanoma cell lines.

MAbs A to D were generated as described in EP-A2 0,141,079 and isolated by standard methods.

MAb A binds to cells of the granulocyte compartment and to carcinomas of the colon, pancreas and some of the lung and breast, as shown in Table 1. TABLE 1 Binding characteristics of MAb A Malignant tissue samples Number of Total investigated positives number colorectal carcinomas: primary carcinomas 6 6 liver metastases 15 16 carcinomas of the pancreas 6 8 carcinomas of the lung: small-cell 1 2 adeno 9 10 squamous cell 3 4 large-cell 1 2 carcinoma of the breast 1 3

MAb B binds to virtually all carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract and to some ovarian carcinomas and adenocarcinomas of the lung, whereas it does not react with most normal human tissues or reacts only with secretion-containing sites thereon. The binding characteristics are summarized in Table 2. TABLE 2 Binding characteristics of MAb B Malignant tissue samples Number of Total investigated positives number colorectal carcinomas: primary 6 6 liver metastases 9 10 carcinomas of the pancreas 5 6 carcinomas of the stomach 4 4 carcinomas of the lung: small-cell 2 11 adeno 9 10 squamous cell 2 12 large-cell  4* 12 carcinoma of the breast 2 9 ovarian carcinomas 4 6 (secretion-containing sites) carcinomas of the kidneys 1 12 *weak, heterogeneous reaction

MAb C shows a distinct reaction with 70-80% of stage I and II primary tumors of carcinoma of the pancreas (11/14). Like the primary tumors, most grade I and II metastases of carcinoma of the pancreas appear to have a positive reaction (3/4). The type of reaction on these positive tissues indicates that the epitope recognized by MAb C is located in the cytoplasm, on the membrane and in the intercellular space.

Grade III carcinomas of the pancreas do not express the epitope (primary tumor 0/2, metastases 0/5). However, since grade I and II carcinomas of the pancreas comprise up to 95% of carcinomas of the pancreas, MAb C ought to react with 60-70% of all carcinomas of the pancreas.

Another important property of MAb C in its reactivity with the duct system in the chronically inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis 10/13), whereas there is no detectable binding to healthy exocrine and endocrine pancreatic tissue (0/8). Only a minority of the investigated primary tumors of carcinoma of the colon was reactive (4/14), whereas most of the liver metastases of carcinoma of the colon showed distinct binding (7/10).

Cross-reactivities of MAb C are confined to the mucus-producing goblet cells of the colonic mucosa and of the stomach. All the other normal tissue tested, including peripheral blood leukocytes and bone marrow, do not express the mucus-associated epitope recognized by MAb C (see Table 3). MAb C recognizes an epitope located on a tumor associated antigen which can be detected at increased levels in patients with gastrointestinal tumors e.g. carcinomas of the pancreas and thus may be used as a tumor marker. TABLE 3 Summary of the formaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded human tissue investigated (indirect immunoperoxidase) with MAb C. Grade I/II Grade III Pancreatic tumors primary carcinoma 11/14 0/2 liver metastases of carcinoma 3/4 0/5 papillary carcinoma 1/2 cystadenoma 0/1 Pancreatic tissue ducts with changes due to pancreatitis 10/13 normal exo- and endocrine pancreas 0/8 Carcinomas of the colon primary tumors  4/14 liver metastases  7/10 Normal colonic tissue goblet cells of the mucosa, luminal part  9/10 part of the mucosa facing the muscularis  3/10 muscularis mucosae 0/7 tunica muscularis 0/7 submucosa 0/7 Carcinomas of the lung  8/18 (a few tumor cells) Carcinomas of the breast 0/3 Other normal tissue investigated lung 0/3 liver 0/5 breast 0/1 Stomach muscle 0/2 mucus-prod. cells 3/3 kidney 0/5 lymph nodes 0/4 spleen 0/2 bone marrow 0/1 peripheral blood leukocytes 0/2 connective tissue 0/2 muscles  0/10

MAb D recognizes a VCN-sensitive epitope on the ganglioside GD₂ which does not occur on other bovine cerebral gangliosides, including GD₃, GM₃, GM₁, GT_(1a), GD_(1b), GD_(1a) and GM₄. Using MAb D it was possible to stain all gliomas, meningiomas and neurilemmomas in normal human cerebral tissue. Table 4 summarizes the binding properties of MAb D with respect to intracranial tumors. TABLE 4 Number of tumors Type of tumor Positive Total number well-differentiated gliomas, grade I-II 6 6 malignant gliomas, grade III-IV 10 10 meningiomas 11 11 neurilemmomas 4 4 pineal adenomas 0 5 metastases of carcinomas 0 1

The epitope defined by MAb D is also present on neuroblastomas, ganglioneuroblastomas and ganglioneuromas. Table 5 shows a summary. TABLE 5 Reactivity of MAb D with neuroblastomas and small round-cell tumors in children Number of tumors Neuroblastomas Positive Total number Grade I 1 1 Grade II 6 6 Grade III 4 4 ganglioneuroblastomas  3^(xx) 3 Ewing sarcomas 0 2 rhabdomyosarcomas 0 1 non-Hodgkin lymphomas   2^(xxx) 5 x Hughes classification ^(xx)ganglion cells ^(xxx)some positive tumor cells

Thus, MAb D is suitable for differential diagnosis of neuroblastomas and small round-cell tumors in children.

The specificity of MAb D for two other tumors derived from the neuroectoderm, namely melanomas and small-cell carcinomas of the lung (SCLC), and for unrelated tumors is shown in Table 6. TABLE 6 Number of tumors Positive Total number melanoma  4* 10 SCLC  2* 11 carcinomas of the colon 0 3 carcinomas of the breast 0 3 non-SCLC: adenocarcinomas 0 3 squamous cell carcinomas of the lung 0 3 large-cell carcinomas 0 3 *Weak and heterogeneous staining of a few tumor cells

The immunoglobulin V genes of MAb A to MAb D were isolated using the methods detailed in the Examples.

The nucleotide and protein sequences are shown in FIG. 3 (V gene of MAb A), FIG. 4 (V gene of MAb B), FIG. 5 (V gene of MAb C) and FIG. 6 (V gene of MAb D). The CDRs can be identified therein as described by Kabat and Wu (loc. cit., see Examples).

Accordingly, the invention relates to the epitopes specified by MAbs A, B, C and D, monoclonal antibodies against these epitopes, with MAbs A, B, C and D being particularly preferred, and monoclonal antibodies which contain the V genes specified above, or parts thereof (complementarity determining regions), with a human antibody framework or framework parts being preferred. The invention furthermore relates to constructs which contain these V genes or parts thereof together with enzymes or radioactive labels or toxins or catalytic antibodies or combinations of various V-gene specificities or MHC class I or class II antigens or cytolytic components. Finally, the invention relates to pharmaceuticals containing the MAb's specified above and the use of said MAb's for in vivo or in vitro diagnosis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the detection of different antigens by MAb C. NS signifies serum samples of healthy blood donors (n=141); AP means serum samples of patients with acute pancreatitis (n=56). CP means serum samples of patients with chronic pancreatitis (n=40) and Pan-Ca means patients with carcinoma of the pancreas (n=82).

FIG. 2 shows competition between CA 19-9, C50 and MAb C. CA 19-9 refers to MAb CA 19-9.

FIG. 3 shows the nucleotide and protein sequences for the immunoglobulin V genes of MAb A.

FIG. 4 shows the nucleotide and protein sequences for the immunoglobulin V genes of MAb B.

FIG. 5 shows the nucleotide and protein sequences for the immunoglobulin V genes of MAb C.

FIG. 6 shows the nucleotide and protein sequences for the immunoglobulin V genes of MAb D.

The invention is furthermore contained in the Examples and the patent claims.

EXAMPLES

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) described by Saiki et al., Science 230,1350-1354 (1985) was employed hereinafter for the cloning and expression of the variable domain of murine immunoglobulins (Ig).

1. Identification of the Conserved Regions at the 5′ and 3′ end of the Murine Heavy Ig Chain (VH) and the Light Ig Chain (VK).

The mutually aligned sequences of the variable regions were taken from the data file of Kabat et al. Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, US Dept. of Health and Human Services, US Government Printing Office (1987). The nucleotide sequences start there at the amino terminus of the mature protein and do not include the signal sequences. Computer screening (DBUTIL, R. Staden (1986) Nucleic Acids Res. 14, 217-231) was used to find suitable primers for cDNA synthesis and amplimers for use in the PCR: Oligonucleotide I:                BstE II              VH1FORWARD 5′ TGA GGA GAC GGT GAC CGT GGT CCC TTG GCC CCA 3′ Oligonucleotide II:          CK1 5′ TGC AGC ATC AGCC 3′ Oligonucleotide III: 5′ AG GTC CAG CTG CAG GAG TCT GG 3′         G A A         C     A               PstI                  VH1 BACKWARD Oligonucleotide IV: 5′ GAC ATT CAG CTG ACC CAG TCT CCA 3′            PvuII                     VK1 BACKWARD Oligonucleotide V:     VK1 FORWARD 5′ GTT AGA TCT CCA GCT TGG TCC C 3′        Bgl II

2. cDNA Synthesis

RNA was prepared from about 3×10⁸ cells of the particular hybridomas which secrete MAb A, B, C or D, and poly A⁺ mRNA was enriched from the latter using oligo dT Sepharose. The poly A⁺ mRNA was used for the cDNA synthesis. The first strands of cDNA were synthesized using oligonucleotide primers which hybridize in the J region of the V_(H) nucleotide sequences (oligonucleotide I) and at the 5′ end of the kappa C gene nucleotide sequences (oligonucleotide II).

The RNA is then decomposed by NaOH treatment. The second strands of cDNA were synthesized using oligonucleotide primers which hybridize at the 5′ ends of the V_(H) (oligonucleotide III) and of the V_(kappa) (oligonucleotide IV) nucleotide sequences.

3. Amplification of the Synthesized cDNA and Sequencing of the Variable Domains

The DNA generated as described in 2. was amplified using oligonucleotides I, III, IV and V (oligonucleotide V hybridizes in the J region of the V_(kappa) nucleotide sequences) and the Taq DNA polymerase from Thermophilus aquatius. A typical mixture contained in 50 ll total volume 5 ll of ds DNA (prepared in 2.), 25 pmol of amplimers, and was 250 lM in each of dATP, dTTP, dCTP and dGTP, 67 mM tris-HCl pH 8.8, 17 mM (NH₄)₂SO₄, 10 mM MgCl₂, 200 lg/ml gelatin and 2 units of Taq polymerase. A layer of liquid paraffin was placed on the mixture and then 25 cycles each of 1 min at 95° C. (for denaturation), 1 min at 30° C. (hybridization) and 2 min at 72° C. (DNA synthesis) were carried out using a Techne PHC-1 programmable heating block.

The oligonucleotides used for the cDNA cloning and amplification contain restriction cleavage sites. The cDNA cloning and the amplification resulted in these restriction cleavage sites being introduced at the 5′ end and at the 3′ end of the V_(H) and V_(kappa) nucleotide sequences (Pst I and BstE II in V_(B) and Pvu II and Bgl II in V_(kappa)).

These restriction cleavage sites were then used to clone V_(H) and V_(K) cDNA fragments in M13 vectors (Lys 19, Lys 17) (Verhoyen et al. Science 239, (1988), 1534-1536).

Finally, the nucleotide sequences of the particular V_(H) and V_(kappa) cDNA fragments were determined using the method of Sanger (PNAS, USA, 74, 5463-5467, (1977)) from the Lys 19 and Lys 17 vectors (see FIGS. 3-6).

Examples 4 and 5 explain the use of the MAb C described using MAb C:

Example 4

MAb C was fixed to the wells of microtitration plates (Nunc) by adsorption. Into these wells 20 μl sample plus 100 μl buffer-solution (OSND, Behringwerke AG) each was pipetted and 2 respective 3 hours incubated. After threefold washing with diluted Enzygnost® washing solution (OSEN, Behringwerke AG) 100 μl conjugate-solution was filled into each well. Used here were conjugates of peroxidase with lectin (e.g. wheat germ agglutinin {circumflex over (=)}WGA) or with other antibodies recognizing different epitopes of the tumor-associated antigens defined by MAb C. The following two or three hours incubation step at 37° C. was terminated by 3 wash cycles. For the third incubation step at room temperature 100 μl each of a buffer/substrate-chromogene solution (OUVG/OUSF Behringwerke AG) was filled into the wells and the enzyme reaction was terminated after 30 min. with 100 μl of stopping solution Enzygnost® (OSFA, Behringwerke AG). Absorbance of the samples was measured at 450 nm.

Result:

The absorbance values determined as shown above correspond to the concentration of the antigen(s) in the samples. The concentration of the antigen defined by the specific binding of MAb C, in serum or plasma of tumor patients is significantly elevated as compared to said concentration of healthy control persons or patients with benign disease. This is especially true for patients with carcinoma of the pancreas (FIG. 1), significantly elevated concentrations were also determined in serum or plasma of patients with carcinoma of the stomach, colon or rectum. Equally good results were obtained irrespective of the conjugate system (antibody-peroxidase or WGA-peroxidase). With the use of MAb C as specific binding-component a sensitive test for tumor markers of especially gastrointestinal tumor disease can be made.

Example 5

Five μg each of MAb C or MAb C 50 as control (Pharmacia; Holmgren et al. (1984) British Med. J. 288, 1479) were pipetted in 50 μl phosphate-buffered-saline (PBS) into a CA 19-9 Test (CA 19-9 EIA “Roche”). The highest standard (100 U/ml) was added before start of the incubation. The tests were performed according to the instructions of the test-kit above and the absorbances of the respective samples were determined.

Result:

As shown in FIG. 2, the additional dilution of the standard-antigen after addition of the PBS-solution reduces the signal of the highest standard even without addition of MAb. No further reduction of the signal results by the presence of MAb C in the assay. In contrast hereto the signal formation is totally inhibited by MAb C 50, which as is known, binds among others specifically to the epitope “sialosyl Le^(a)” recognized also by MAb 19-9: From the above one may conclude that MAb C recognizes a different epitope as MAb 19-9. 

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A chimeric monoclonal antibody comprising variable V_(H) and V_(K) regions wherein said V_(H) and V_(K) regions comprise the amino acid sequences shown in FIG. 6 and in which the constant regions are human antibody amino acid sequences.
 18. The monoclonal antibody as claimed in claim 17, wherein enzymes or radioactive labels are coupled to the antibody.
 19. The monoclonal antibody as claimed in claim 17, wherein the antibody is coupled to toxins, catalytic antibodies, combinations of V genes of various specificities, MHC class I antigens or MHC class II antigens, or cytolytic components.
 20. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the monoclonal antibody as claimed in claim 17 in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 21. A monoclonal antibody as claimed in claim 17 for use in vivo or in vitro diagnosis.
 22. A therapeutic composition comprising the antibody as claimed in claim 17 and an inert vehicle.
 23. The monoclonal antibody as claimed in claim 17, wherein the variable regions have amino acid sequences shown in FIG.
 6. 24. A method of producing the monoclonal antibody as claimed in claim 17 comprising: (a) preparing DNA encoding said variable regions and said regions outside of the variable regions containing human antibody amino acid sequences and amplifying said DNA via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using TAQ polymerase and PCR primers from cDNA isolated from hybridomas; (b) expressing said DNA to produce said antibody; and (c) isolating said antibody. 